Classes resumed as if nothing had happened. No one spoke of the incident, nor was anything related to it ever mentioned. It was as if everyone's memories had been wiped out.
Eris couldn't stand it. She was suffering all on her own and she didn't have anyone to turn to. She had come to terms with Moro's death, or at least she kept telling herself that. Their ordeal in the forest with the werewolf made her want to scream out to the students in the Great Hall that everyone was in danger, that Hogwarts wasn't the safe haven everyone thought it to be. And the subject of the Order made her absolutely furious, especially that Dumbledore sent Hajoon to spy on her as if she were a criminal.
She did consider joining for a brief moment, as Dumbledore's words floated in her mind for the past few days. You can save your people, Eris.
She shook her head. She managed to save her and Hajoon's life once. She wasn't a fighter, it was just instinct. She didn't have it in her heart to become a weapon, or to kill again. She just wanted a normal life, or at least, as normal as it could get as a wizard.
Eris sat in Muggle Studies on a Monday morning, and though she was always attentive and excelled in the class, she stared out the stained windows to the Forbidden Forest. She wondered what other creatures roamed among the trees, and whether or not they ever left to go hunting students.
Professor Oxoleus was leaning against the front of his desk while reading out loud to the class. All of the girls (and a few boys) couldn't help but stare at him dreamily, because not only was he tall and handsome, he had a deep voice too. Eris also thought he was very attractive with his stubble and blue eyes, but she was very drawn to his passion for muggle literature. She wasn't much of a reader, well she didn't have the time because of school work and always found it a challenge to get into. But there was something about the way his eyes lit up when taking apart texts and giving them a deeper meaning than the author ever intended.
"… And if you all don't mind, I'd like to read one of my favourite passages," Oxoleus said. Eris continued to stare out the window, sighing every now and then. But as the professor continued to read, Eris found herself listening in as well.
"And when the full moon rose into the sky, howls sounded through the night. Bones cracked into a painful formation. Human cries became snarls and growls that traveled the air, and a beast rose onto it's hind legs. Half human, half-wolf. It ran in search of it's next victim, an animal hunting for it's prey. And it found it, toyed with it slowly by sinking it's claws into human flesh, reveling in the screams that echoed in it's ears. And in one fell swoop, it bit the human's neck-"
"NO!"
A flurry of papers rose and everyone whipped around towards Eris who was standing as all of her notes floated back down around her. Sweat beaded at her hairline and she was breathing heavily, head reeling.
"Ms. Turner?"
Eris looked to Professor Oxoleus who was walking towards her. All of the students in the classroom stared at her, some laughing, some whispering to each other. She caught Remus' gaze, and he looked even paler than usual.
"Is there a reason for your sudden outburst?" Oxoleus asked.
"I- I'm sorry sir, I'm terrified of wolves," Eris said sheepishly.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but do refrain from interrupting the class. It's just a story."
A story she almost lived through firsthand.
When class was over, Eris gathered her things in a flash and ran out into the hallway. She had embarrassed herself enough, she didn't need anyone teasing her for it. She only wished her day couldn't get any worse.
At the end of the hallway stood Hajoon, towering over the walking students. Eris met his gaze and she quickly turned the other way, picking up her pace. She hadn't spoken to him since being with him in Dumbledore's office. Though she just wanted to curse him out for everything he had done, she wasn't in the mood to even look at him.
As she passed by a student reading the Daily Prophet, the front page caught her eye and she slowly walked closer to them. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw the headline, "Increasing Muggle Murders - Dark Wizards On The Prowl".
Eris' heart leapt into her throat. She staggered backwards and bumped into someone.
"Don't tell me you're avoiding me again."
She turned to see Hajoon peering down at her, and she couldn't help but glare at him.
"I have nothing to say to you." Eris turned back to the students reading and asked if she could join, and the Hufflepuff gladly stepped aside so that she could read with him.
The murders happened at random all throughout Europe, and the Ministry predicted the movement to continue in the South of England. Eris suddenly felt sick, as that's where her parents lived. The Daily Prophet warned underage wizards to avoid venturing out alone, and warned everyone else to not engage with any Dark Wizard that they meet and to alert the Ministry as soon as possible.
"Still thinking about the Order?"
Eris looked to Hajoon, and anger flared up in her.
"I am certainly not joining this stupid Order!" She yelled, and everyone in the hallway looked in her direction. Hajoon leapt towards her and put a hand over her mouth, dragging her to a less crowded area.
"No one can know about the Order!" He said as he let go of her.
"Why did you agree to spy on me?!"
Her question took him aback. He looked away from her, fists bunching up at his sides. After a moment, he said, "Meet me in front of the Great Hall in an hour."
"I will not," she said. "The last time you didn't want to tell me anything on the spot we almost ended up getting killed by a werewolf!"
"But I'm hungry," he said flatly.
Her expression softened, and she sighed. Whatever his reason was, it was going to have to wait until after lunch.
Marion elbowed Eris in the ribs, and she jumped up with a yelp.
"You daydreaming about Luca again?" she laughed. "Your soup has gone cold!"
Eris glanced down, noticing her pumpkin soup was at room temperature. She pushed it away and grabbed a piece of turkey with cranberry sauce, and mindlessly piled on mashed potatoes until she had a mountain of it covering her plate. Marion, with her small salad and pan seared fish, stared at her in horror. Eris didn't want to seem overly concerned with what was happening in the Muggle world, and risk exposing her identity. Marion didn't seem like she was too interested in the matters anyway.
"Alright, what gives? Why are you in a daze ever since- Don't tell me, he broke your heart already?"
Eris gave a weak smile. "No no, I just… I lost my wand and it's a pain to get a new one." She avoided Marion's gaze. "I think- Wait, Luca and I aren't together-"
"SO HERE'S MY SLYTHERIN GIRLFRIEND!"
Luca sat down next to Eris and put an arm around her shoulders, holding her tightly against him. Eris' eyes were as wide as an owl's, and she couldn't believe what was happening. She whipped around to see him smiling mischievously at her.
"Ah, young love," Marion sighed. "So have you two kissed yet?"
Eris' face flushed red and she shook her head fervently, almost smacking Luca in the jaw.
"Aww schnoukums no need to hide our UNDYING LOVE FOR EACH OTHER!"
People began to whisper and stare at them, and Eris could've been part of the Gryffindor flag. She placed her hands over his mouth and swore at him. She jumped off the bench and dragged him away from Marion, a hand over his mouth in case he would scream anything else to the entire Great Hall.
"Are you insane?" she hissed as they got out into the hallway.
He chuckled. "You can imagine my surprise when Marion congratulated me on a supposed girlfriend."
Eris slapped herself in the face. "Sorry about that."
He grinned back at her. "I didn't know you felt that way about me. The least you could've done is warn me you've told Marion. I could've at least prepared what our wedding day would look like."
Eris smacked him on the arm, and he cackled away. She couldn't help but also laugh, thinking she really screwed up this time.
"It's a long story," she finally said.
"Do tell, sweet girlfriend of mine." He smirked.
Eris walked over to a window, and Luca leaned against the sill while she stood in front of him.
"I had to sneak out of the castle after curfew and Marion started asking questions," she finally said.
"So your first instinct was to say we were going out?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I thought it was the safest since you would understand the circumstances. I mean it's impossible, you and me anyway," she chuckled to herself. Luca's face fell for a moment.
"Anyway," she continued. "Hajoon asked me to meet him in the Forest."
He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. "What for?"
But before Eris could speak, the sound of wheels screeching on the ground echoed throughout the hallway. Eris didn't have time to look before Luca threw her aside, and was swept up by a figure on a wagon being pulled by a few Hufflepuff students.
Luca was held around the waist, dangling over the side of the wagon for a moment before he was thrown inside.
"Geez Eris, you've gained a few- BLOODY HELL!"
Hajoon slapped himself in the face, and turned back around to see Eris standing against the wall with her arms spread out. He had caught the wrong person.
"Uhm, sorry 'bout this mate," he said sheepishly. Luca's mouth contorted, absolutely dumbfounded of the situation and Hajoon's sheer stupidity. The Hufflepuffs continued to run down the hallway, screaming and laughing to their heart's content.
Eris caught her breath and stared at the yellow colours disappear around the corner. She had absolutely no idea what just had happened, and wasn't even sure how to react to the situation. She thought she should just tell Luca about the events some other day.
She turned around to go back into the Great Hall, but as she did she spotted Remus walking towards it.
"Remus!" she called out. Remus flinched at the sound of his name, and turned to look at who was calling him. His already pale face lost whatever color it had left at the sight of Eris who was walking towards him.
"Remus-! What happened to your face?"
Eris saw he had fresh cuts and bruises that ran over his nose and cheeks, something she hadn't noticed earlier in class. She reached to touch his face but he quickly stepped back and looked down at the ground.
"I- Uh- Fell. I'm sorry Eris, I have to go."
He gave her a small smile then quickly shuffled into the Great Hall before she could say anything. She stared back at him with a frown, but then noticed James and Sirius approaching.
"We need to fortify the Shrieking Shack, we can't have him escaping again."
Sirius nudged James as he saw Eris, and they both flashed her a smile.
"Ah yes, the Gryffindor Hero of Slytherin," James said and gave her a full bow, Sirius following as well. Eris rolled her eyes.
"So, who's going to escape again?" Eris asked. Sirius gulped and looked to James.
"We found a pixie," James said. "Nasty little bugger when it gets out of its cage."
She gave him a curt smile, and the boys continued their way inside and walked to the Gryffindor table. They sat down next to Remus and Peter, and Eris noticed Remus was hunched over the table with his face buried in his hands. He must have been having a bad day, she thought, just like her.
"You best watch what you're revealing."
Eris almost let out a scream and staggered backwards. Hajoon quickly grabbed her arm and dragged her to the window where she was before with Luca, looking very annoyed.
"I didn't think I had to specify to you not to reveal anything about me or the Order," he whispered. Eris frowned, then took a step towards him.
"What did you do to Luca?" she asked. Hajoon rolled his eyes.
"The Ravenclaw Captain is being distracted by my team," he said with a malicious smile, but it quickly faded away. "You cannot under any circumstance reveal anything to anyone unless Dumbledore allows it."
"How did you know I was- Ah." Eris knew the answer to her question. "Then who am I supposed to ask for advice in this situation? Dumbledore is waiting for an answer from me-"
"Then ask me," he said. "My answer is simple: join us."
Eris couldn't believe what he was saying. "You would be a pawn in that scheme? You-Know-Who is much more powerful and has greater numbers no doubt. It's suicide."
"It's because I want to make things right," he said and lowered his gaze. "I never finished my story by the lake. Or answered your question earlier."
Hajoon looked around to make sure no one was there, and surely the corridor was deserted. He closed the gap between them and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "The Durmstrang Headmaster found out about my abilities and was about to hand me over to the Dark Wizard. It's why I transferred. I left my family and ran away to Hogwarts like a coward."
Her eyes widened and she backed up to look at him. His eyes were full of sorrow, and it tugged on her heart.
"But why join the Order? Why let them use you? And spy on me?" Eris asked.
"You-Know-Who was going to use me for death and destruction, no doubt he would kill me once he found no use for me. But Dumbledore is giving me the chance to save lives. I'm a good Wizard, but I'm a stronger clairvoyant. He said I wouldn't have to fight like the official older and more experienced members, just help out with my visions. And ever since the incident with Moro, Dumbledore just wanted to watch out for you through me."
"You have your clairvoyance and you can stand on the sidelines. I can blow up things. Don't you think he'd put me in as a soldier?"
Hajoon shook his head. "You have other talents. Knowledge in Herbology that could probably surpass Sprout's… And…"
"What am I going to do, throw a plant at them?"
"I mean, a mandrake could be fatal." He laughed, but Eris gave him a cold stare.
"Hajoon, there's no reason for me to join. I'll let Dumbledore know tonight-"
"Give it a little more time," Hajoon said. "Think things over two- no, three times. This is a good opportunity for us, for you."
"Why do you want me to join so badly?" Eris asked. "I am no one to you."
His face fell. "That's not true. Back at the train- Eris I've been meaning to tell you for a while now-"
"OI! YOU BLOODY GIT!"
Eris and Hajoon turned around to see Luca stomping towards them. A giggle escaped Eris' lips as she noticed the stark contrast between Hajoon and Luca's height, the latter being a head and a half shorter than him.
"What in Merlin's beard was that all about?" Luca asked, throwing his arms in the air. "You could've killed someone!"
"But I didn't," Hajoon said.
Luca growled. "You almost got Eris too!"
"I mean she was my target initially," Hajoon sighed. "But you had to swoop in like some kind of vulture to protect her."
Luca's face went scarlet. "Yeah- Well- You shouldn't have been wheeling about in a cart inside the school!"
Hajoon rolled his eyes. "I wanted to have a moment with her."
"She was mine first." Luca grabbed Eris' hand and led her the other way, when Hajoon grabbed her other hand pulling her into a stop.
"If you guys are going to play tug-o-war with me consider yourselves squid food," she hissed.
They both hesitantly let go of her.
"You won't tell anyone, right?" Hajoon whispered.
"What? That you've got herpes?" Luca scoffed.
Eris smacked Luca behind the head, then turned to Hajoon. "You have my word." Hajoon shot Luca a look before leaving towards the staircase, his black robe moving in sync with his steps.
"What's gotten into you?" Eris asked.
Luca shrugged. "I don't particularly like him… Anyways, you were saying he wanted to meet you at the Forest?"
"Uh… Yeah… He uh… Wanted to… Confess to me." Nailed it.
His eyes widened. "And? Do you feel the same way?"
Eris shook her head. "Merlin no, he kinda creeps me out. Besides-"
"You still like Remus, right?" he sighed.
"Yeah," she felt heat rise up in her cheeks, and he let out a chuckle.
"Your face gives you away," Luca said, ruffling her hair. "Anyway, Slytherin and Ravenclaw have a match in a few days. Wanna come watch?"
"You asking me out on a date?" she asked jokingly. He licked his lips, then gave a small smile.
"Of course. Got to keep the girlfriend entertained."
Eris laughed. "Fine, I'll be there for support. Don't expect a victory kiss though."
"You mean it was an option?" he wiggled his eyebrows.
"Oh sod off," she laughed and pushed him away.
After a moment, Luca's smile disappeared and he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Eris," his voice sounded grave. "If he ever causes trouble for you, just let me know alright? There's something off about him."
Eris couldn't agree more. Hajoon was like an impossible jigsaw puzzle she was afraid to solve.
She gave him a smile. "Don't worry about me, worry about Cassidy Jones at the match."
"Wow, I almost forgot about baldie," he said and shrugged. "I promise not to worry my girlfriend." He winked at Eris, who gave him a disgusted face.
He chuckled and ruffled her hair. "See ya, kid."
She watched him leave the same way Hajoon did, and she was alone again.
As she headed back to Marion, she stopped dead in her steps. A dawning realization washed over her as Hajoon's condition came to mind. If Hajoon was a clairvoyant and Dumbledore had told him to keep an eye out for her… Was Hajoon aware that she was Muggle-Born?
"Can't I just… Stay in bed?"
Marion was pulling Eris by the leg, swearing at her repeatedly. Eris was clawing at her sheets like a cat refusing to take a bath, whining about how much she didn't want to go to the Quidditch match. She wanted to support Luca, but seeing Cassidy Jones might prompt her to hex her again. Or the other way around.
It was also a reminder of her accident. It was still vivid in her memories, and she was afraid it would bring on a form of PTSD.
"You will go or so help me-" Marion yanked Eris and she finally let go, tumbling out of bed and landing on the floor. "We need some downtime, and what better way than to see Slytherin destroy those bird brains?"
Eris laughed. "Fine, we'll stay for the first half. But I'm coming back to the dorm and catching up on work."
"A Slytherin? Working? Ew," Marion said and winked at her. She helped Eris up and then fixed her hair so that she looked presentable.
The entire school was making it's way to the Quidditch pitch, and Eris came to terms with it with a simple sigh. She loved Quidditch and was probably one of the most die hard fans in the stands. But she felt out of place. She wasn't sure if it were because of the accident, or the fact that she didn't make it onto the Slytherin team.
Once they arrived they took their seats among a flurry of house colors. Eris found it funny that none of the other houses cheered for Slytherin. It looked like their reputation still stood strong.
Marion kept commenting on the male players while Eris listened on with a smile and a few nods. She was suddenly feeling the same excitement and nervousness she always felt before a match, and thought it was a nice change for once. She was slowly getting back to her normal self.
When the crowd erupted in cheers Eris followed ten fold, scaring Marion off the bench. Eris chanted along with the others for the Ravenclaw members that entered the pitch, blatantly avoiding looking at the Slytherin team entering on the other side.
The referee walked out to the center of the pitch and yelled out the rules. She blew the whistle and the players immediately kicked off.
"Cassidy Jones in possession of the Quaffle, passes to Michael Tannenbaum- Bloody hell someone from Ravenclaw better get their act together-"
"JORDAN!" screamed McGonagall. Caleb Jordan was the Quidditch commentator, a 7th year Gryffindor that was a bit biased with his announcing, and always made everyone laugh. Except Slytherins.
Next to Caleb was Eris analyzing every move outloud, making Marion want to hide behind a Hufflepuff.
"WHAT AN ABSOLUTE MORON HE IS!" Eris yelled out to a Ravenclaw player. "HE COULD'VE EASILY PULLED A FINBOURGH FLICK!"
"Who's side… Are you on…" Marion whispered.
"Cassidy Jones in possession of the Quaffle again- She's headed for the hoop- Bradley sends a Bludger her way but she dodges it, what a shame- SHE THROWS THE QUA- AAAAAND SAVED BY RAVENCLAW CAPTAIN LUCA O'BRIEN! MAN WHAT A HANDSOME AND TALENTED FELLOW HE IS-"
"Jordan, stick to the game at hand!" McGongall hissed.
"Sorry professor! Now the Quaffle is being passed around by the Ravenclaw chasers- Oooh Slytherin chaser just got knocked out by a Bludger, bet he's gonna feel that one in the morning. The Golden Snitch is still out of sight."
The crowd watched as one of the Slytherin Chasers spiraled down on his broom to the ground. Medics arrived promptly and put him on a stretcher, quickly leaving the scene. One of the three reserve members stepped up and immediately kicked off, a little wobbly on his broom. Eris thought it was a good move on the school's part to bring in substitutes, as in a real match the Slytherins would've been a member short. The match didn't even stop and Ravenclaw scored again, but Slytherin remained in the lead.
"GET IT TOGETHER!" Cassidy yelled out as she zoomed over the bleachers. The Slytherin was in possession of the Quaffle again, and Eris noticed that the Seekers were nowhere to be seen on the pitch, no doubt looking for the Snitch. Eris kept yelling out tactics and her frustrations, with some students even joining in.
Cassidy was in possession of the Quaffle and the other two Slytherin Chasers moved alongside her, creating the Hawkshead Attacking Formation. The Ravenclaw members couldn't get past Cassidy's shield and she charged towards the goal post where Luca was waiting. Eris' gaze traveled to him, and she saw just how much concentration he had. She knew this was an important match to him, and boy did she want Slytherin to lose.
Cassidy threw the Quaffle and Luca barely made it to hit it away towards one of his Chasers. As the other two Slytherin Chasers turned around to follow the Quaffle, Cassidy lingered in front of Luca. Eris could've sworn they were having a conversation, and suddenly Luca's expression darkened.
The Ravenclaw beaters worked in sync to send two Bludgers towards the replacement Chaser, and they hit him on either side of the head. Cassidy let out a scream as another of her members fell to the ground like a swatted fly. Everyone in the stands and the Ravenclaw team cheered.
The referee blew the whistle and announced an early half-time. The fans on the bleachers took back their seats and so did Eris, but she continued to eye the pitch below. Cassidy looked to be in a heated argument with the referee, continuously pointing at the reserve team.
"So you want to go back to the dorm? I'm getting bored," Marion said.
"But it's Quidditch!" Eris cried out. "How can you be bored with this?"
Marion gave her a sly grin. "Just a while ago I couldn't even get you out of bed, and now you're embracing the match?"
Eris cleared her throat, then laughed sheepishly. "Fine. Turns out Quidditch is exactly what I need at the moment."
Someone flew overhead, and people started to cheer. Eris and Marion looked up to see Luca hovering in front of their area of the stands. He was waving at everyone like some sort of celebrity, and the crowd was loving it. His eyes met Eris' and he gave her a wink, though some girls behind her thought it was for them. She scoffed and she could hear Marion sigh wishfully.
"You're damn lucky to have him as your boyfriend," Marion said.
"He isn't!" Eris cried out. "It just… He uh… Has a crazy ex-girlfriend that won't let him go. She's like half troll or something."
"Yeesh." Marion's face contorted. "Who would've thought?"
Eris laughed and tried to steer the conversation in a different direction. But another shadow loomed over them and the crowd suddenly went quiet.
"TURNER!"
Eris looked back up to see Cassidy floating next to Luca who was eyeing her like he was going to hex her.
"WE NEED YOU!" Cassidy yelled out. Luca's eyes widened and he turned to Eris.
"ERIS, DON'T!" Luca cried.
Eris stared at both of them, confused of their exchange.
"We're missing a Chaser, if you want your chance this is it!"
Regulus flew by and threw a broom towards Eris which whacked her square in the face. Cassidy's jaw clenched. "HURRY, THE MATCH IS STARTING!"
Eris fumbled with the broom and mounted it, glancing at Marion.
"You can't be serious," Marion said. "The last time you were on a broom you almost died!"
"I… I know," Eris said. "But- They need me."
"YOU HATE THE SLYTHERIN TEAM!" Marion yelled. "You were cheering on Ravenclaw and suddenly you're being patriotic?"
"But… It's Quidditch," Eris replied, kicking off the benches that sent a gust of wind throughout the fans.
"IF YOU END UP IN THE HOSPITAL AGAIN," Marion screamed after her, "I'LL KILL YOU!"
Cassidy led Eris to the Slytherin team bench on the pitch. The captain landed gracefully while Eris tumbled and fell face first onto the grass.
"If we lose this," Cassidy said. "Your ancestors will feel dizzy."
Eris gulped and got up onto her feet. She suddenly remembered how she had cursed the other to lose all her hair, and wondered why she was asking for help.
"This is against the rules!"
The entire Slytherin team looked to Luca who was walking towards them, taking his helmet off and shaking his head to get his hair out of his face.
"O'Brien, stay out of this," Cassidy hissed.
"No, you'll get her killed like last time!" Luca said, standing in front of Eris. "Everyone knows you like to play dirty, but this is going beyond you. You can't let an amateur play."
Eris felt angry at his words. If she hadn't protected Remus, she would've made the team. But Luca was calling her an amateur, and her competitive side was easing out like an ugly monster out of it's cave.
"She's just here to decorate the pitch," Cassidy said, glancing behind Luca to look at Eris. "You just fly about and stay out of the way, we'll take care of the rest."
Seth, the Vice-Captain, walked over to Eris and handed her a uniform. She held the fabric in between her fingers, feeling her chest swell up with happiness. Silver letters formed on the back "Turner" and the number 07.
Luca turned around to look at Eris. "I thought you were better than this," he said.
"I just want one last chance," she said. "This was my goal, can't you let me have this just once?"
"Can't you see she's playing you? Eris, I can't save you if something happens again." Luca looked to Cassidy, who gave him a sly smile. He put his helmet back on and stormed away from the Slytherin team. Cassidy called everyone to huddle up and gave a quick run-through of the plan. Eris had absolutely no idea what she was saying. She was speaking so quickly that she barely caught onto full words. But if she was just there for show, it shouldn't have mattered anyways.
The referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of the break. Eris stretched her hand out and waited eagerly with a bright smile on her face for the rest of her team to stack their hands over hers, but everyone passed by her as if she were invisible.
Cassidy yelled after her to get into position, and Eris ran quickly to the right wing of the formation. She glanced to the bleachers and saw Marion watching over her in the stands, gnawing at her finger nails.
The whistle sounded again and everyone kicked off, Eris flying up just two beats later. Ravenclaw was in possession, and the Chaser passed by her with a sneer.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen there seems to be a new player in the Slytherin team. Her name is Eris Turner in number 7, sources say she sucks a-"
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry Prof McGee," Caleb said and cleared his throat. "Ravenclaw in possession slithering through the Slytherins-"
The fans groaned at Caleb, but he simply shrugged and continued with the commentaries. Eris on the other hand was trying to get into the game, but every time she wanted to cease an opening, Cassidy got in her way and glanced at her menacingly.
She got the chance she had been dreaming of ever since she had seen the sport in her first year. Yet, she felt utterly useless and miserable. The Slytherins could've at least made the effort to let her participate, but it was just as Cassidy had said: she was only there to decorate.
Eris flew slowly in the direction where the Quaffle went, realizing it wouldn't do her any good if she got in the way of the rest of her teammates. The scores were neck and neck, and the Seekers had disappeared again.
Something grazed Eris' ear and she let out a scream as she jerked herself to the side. She spotted a Ravenclaw beater that was eyeing her murderously, the same look Regulus had when he batted the Bludger toward his brother and Remus. Eris looked behind her and sure enough the bludger was headed back for her, and she propelled herself forward.
She made her way through the Ravenclaw members shakily on her broom, feeling her grip loosen and control decrease. She felt the familiar wobble she always did back at the lake, and thought if she didn't land soon she would be in the hospital again.
Another bludger sent her way made her slip under her broom and hang upside down, her path deviating at a dangerous angle. The other Quidditch players got out of her way with shouts.
She felt something pull at the back of her Quidditch robe and fling her back upright on her broom. It was Regulus.
"Get it together!" he shouted and turned back towards the center of the pitch. Eris let out a scream as she realized she was headed straight for the arena wall. She pulled the handle upwards and arced backwards until she was back in a normal position. She breathed a sigh of relief, and looked to the center of the pitch.
The teams were in a standstill, the Quaffle being passed violently between Chasers. Eris was supposed to be in the middle of it all as well, but she didn't want to get on Cassidy's bad side. Eris was sure she would screw up anyway.
Eris casually floated towards the center, sighing repeatedly. She got just close enough to hear exactly what everyone was yelling about, but was still very much excluded from the fight.
The Quaffle shot out from the pack of chasers and fell straight into Eris' hands. The entire arena went silent, all eyes on Eris who looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
"TURNER!"
Eris didn't give it a second thought. She dove under the group of Chasers while staying low on her broom, headed straight for the ground. The Ravenclaw Chasers dipped down to follow her without a second to lose, but the Slytherin Chasers remained stunned for a moment.
At the last possible second, Eris leveled with the ground and sped forward. The proximity to the ground created a dust cloud that blinded the Chasers following behind, but Eris never planned that. All she wanted was to get the Quaffle through the goal.
"Amazing!" Jordan yelled out. "Turner in possession of the Quaffle, flying low near the ground. Referee is getting ready to blow the whistle in case she falls face first in the dirt like she deserves- Sorry Profes- ERIS JUST PULLED UP, SHE'S HEADED STRAIGHT FOR THE RAVENCLAW POSTS!"
Just a few feet before the planted goal posts, Eris yanked her broom and was headed upwards toward the sky. The Quaffle was nestled under her arm, and no Chaser from the opposing team managed to catch up with her speed.
But her speed was her ultimate weakness.
She passed by Luca who stared at her as if she were Icarus flying too close to the sun as she was way higher than the bleachers. Eris felt her broom slowly slip under her grip, and before she lost it, she pushed herself off of her broom.
"TURNER!"
"ERIS!"
"MORON!"
Eris threw the Quaffle with all of her strength to the far right goal post. Luca flew as fast as he could but the ball ricocheted off the top of his head and through the hoop.
The whistle blew three times throughout the arena. The Snitch had been caught, but Eris didn't know which team had won. She was plummeting to her death.
Luca maneuvered his broom and caught Eris in his arms that sent the two of them spinning. Luca barely managed to get his grip back onto the handle before being thrown into one of the goal posts.
Eris clung onto him for dear life, panting and feeling nauseous.
"You are absolutely insane!" he screamed into her ear, making her flinch.
Cheers erupted from the bleachers, and both Eris and Luca turned back to the center of the pitch. All of the flags around the arena changed to a dark shade of green.
Slytherin had won.
Luca flew down onto the ground and Eris scrambled into a run. She was elated and couldn't wait to celebrate with the team- with her team. Her heart was pounding in her ears and her stomach was in her throat. But she didn't care, she was victorious.
But when she began to cheer with everyone, no one even bothered to include her. They all chanted Regulus' name as he was thrown into the air, not even looking in Eris' direction.
She gave her team a bittersweet smile before slipping her uniform off her back. She had hoped to at least get a picture with it on. The silver letters disappeared to only show the Slytherin colors, and she walked back to the Slytherin bench and placed it near someone's bag.
"Turner!"
Eris turned around to see Seth a few feet away from her, away from the still celebrating green team. "You did good."
The girl smiled brightly and nodded in thanks. He jogged back to the team and cheered with them, and someone sent fireworks into the sky.
Luca approached her with a scowl on his face. "Cassidy was out to kill you for humiliating her! This wasn't a final attempt to win the match, this was her trying to get back at you!"
"You just didn't want your girlfriend to have a little fun-"
"I'm not joking around, Eris."
Her breath hitched. The last time she had seen him so serious was right before her accident at tryouts.
"And you could've died trying to pull a Chelmondiston Charge. No one ever attempts it because they can't get their landing right. You're lucky I caught you, and right after the referee called the end of the match." He paused and glanced at her from head to toe. "You're not hurt are you?"
She shook her head. "Not physically." She suddenly felt sick. Was Cassidy that crazy to have wanted her to get hurt again on the pitch? Especially after her ordeal the last time she played Quidditch… Was she that heartless? Or was Eris herself just naive and clueless? Her eyes watered and she cursed under her breath.
Luca's face fell and wanted to say something but she left through the Slytherin tunnel.
"Eris-! Eris, wait!" Luca called out, but didn't follow her.
Eris walked with her head hung low. Marion ran up to her and brought her into a long hug.
"YOU'RE ALIVE!" she cried out. "I THOUGHT YOU WERE A GONER!"
Eris laughed and wrapped her arms around her. "I think this is my Quidditch retirement."
Marion pulled away and regarded her gravely. "But… It's Quidditch."
"Yeah, but I don't think it's my thing. I got my wish. I was part of the team and I scored."
"Wow, it took one free fall to make you give up on joining the Quidditch team?" Marion said, and Eris shrugged a little sadly. Marion hugged her again, sighing into her shoulder. "Also, you need to stop thinking things halfway through. If that Keeper weren't there- You would've been a green pancake."
"Appealing," Eris said. They began to move down the tunnel and emerged outside of the arena where people had also started walking back to school. Marion was saying how everyone near her were holding their breath when she pulled that stunt, and even the Ravenclaw fans were impressed by her skills. It lifted Eris' mood a little, but it still felt bitter to her. It was her dream after all to make it on the team, but it was far from what she had imagined. She hated the ideal she had created around the sport, and thought she should just content herself with watching it. The team she wanted to join so badly ended up being a cult run by Cassidy Jones. It wasn't anything to be proud of.
A flurry of colours surrounded Eris and Marion, and the girls didn't know what was happening.
"Number 7 you were amazing!"
"Yeah! That Chelmon move was insane!"
"Can you sign my broom for good luck?"
Eris couldn't believe what was happening. People were shouting her name and praising her. Marion watched on with tears in her eyes, a proud smile stretching on her lips. They continued their way back to the school surrounded by fans that shook Eris' hand and patted her on the back. Two large Hufflepuffs hoisted her up onto their shoulders. They chanted her name and cheered for her until they reached the castle.
"Did you pay them?" Eris whispered to Marion, who was yelling that she was Eris' best friend and single to the passing boys.
"I had nothing to do with this," Marion said. "I think people were genuinely impressed. I know I was. Worried, but impressed."
Eris wondered to herself why Luca couldn't have done the same. She thought that what she pulled was pretty amazing with the adrenaline rush, so why couldn't he give her some slack instead of always yelling at her when it came to her playing Quidditch?
"Come on, let's go grab dinner," Marion said. "I heard Dumbledore will be making an announcement for Halloween festivities."
Eris' grin spread from ear to ear. She adored Halloween and was hoping that her last one at Hogwarts would be the best out of the 7 years she was there.